Double Down Demons (A Ghost Adventures/Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 27: Aftershocks and coming down

Not taking his arms off of me Zak leads me back to base, Aaron and Billy solemnly following behind us. I collapse into Jay's recently vacated chair and release a shaky breath.

"Holy cow man!" Billy shakes his head in disbelief. Zak crouches next tome and sweeps the damp tendrils of hair from my face.

"How are you?" He asks me gently. I hiccup.

"I don't know. Exhausted, scared, upset...and fucking angry actually!"I suddenly raise my voice shocking everyone. "Don't you ever fucking do that again!" I hiss at him but pull him to me into a vice like hug.

'Well what the hell were you thinking jumping in there like that? He asks me shaking his head.

"I didn't really think at all, " I admit quietly. "I just, I, you were so distressed, it felt like my heart was being torn to shreds watching you like that." I feel the tears begin to fall again. "I had to do something! When I got in there I knew I had to fight it for you. That I was the only one that could do something. I don't know how I knew this or what the fuck it means but I know I was there to protect you. I look into Zak's tempestuous eyes, "I am here to save you." I whisper, not knowing where these words were coming from. He takes my face in his hands and searches my face for a moment before kissing me gently and wrapping me in his strong embrace. I nuzzle into his shoulder and inhale his comforting scent.

"This is insane." I hear Aaron whisper in an uncharacteristically quiet voice.

"We're calling it a night." Zak says wearily and everybody hums and nods in agreement. They pack up base but Jay suggest he and Billy return for the x cameras later in the day. Everybody is shaken up including unflappable Jay who can be dragged through a crawl space without batting an eyelid. Billy calls the manager to come unlock the door and we wait in an uneasy silence, Zak's arm comfortingly resting over my shoulder.

"That's it I can't stand it any longer!" Aaron declares all of a sudden making me jump.

'What Aaron?" Zak asks, his irritation undisguised. Aaron steps towards us and pulls Zak and I into huge clumsy hug.

"Guys that was so scary! Dudes I didn't know what to do I was so scared for you man!" He looks at us eyes wide, genuine emotion on his face. I reach up on tip toes and kiss his cheek, tears in my eyes, moved by his concern.

"We're ok now Aaron, aren't we Zak?" Zak nods and lightly punches Aaron on the arm, grateful that his friend is there.

We bundle out of the door as soon as the manager turns the lock, happy to get out into the fresh air. I have no idea what time it is but figure dawn is just about the break considering the distant lilac glow on the horizon.

We travel back in silence, trying to comprehend what had happened. I was safely ensconced in the back of the van sandwiched between Zak and Aaron. Resting my head on Zak's shoulder I absent-mindedly run my fingers along the seam of his jeans on his leg. His arm is around me and his chin rests gently on top of my head as he squeezes me to him, I try to ignore the dull sting of the scratches on my back.

"I don't know about you guys but I need a drink!" I state as we pull up to the hotel. Everyone heartily agrees and we go straight to the bar as we get inside.

"Are you sure you don't want to go upstairs?" Zak asks me as we wait at the bar for the drinks to be poured.

"Yeah,I wasn't lying when I said I need this drink and I think the others do too. We all need to decompress and I think they need to see that we're going to be ok don't they?" I explain. Zak looks at me incredulous.

"You're amazing do you know that?" I look at him confused. "After all that happened you're still worried about how everyone else is doing!"He exclaims.

"What do you mean? It happened to you too yet you've been looking after me this whole time, how are you doing anyway?" A flicker of emotion shows on his face but I can't figure out what it is.

"I just feel drained, you really don't have to worry about me I'll be fine." He tries to dismiss my concerns. "I'm worried about you and trying to figure out what the actual fuck happened back there."He says almost angrily. He runs his hands through his hair the events of the night clearly getting to him more than he will admit.

"I have no idea what happened back there." I grab a hold of his arm,"But we have the footage to try and make sense of it, so put it out of your mind for now. As for not worrying about you, pffft!" I scoff. "I know I don't HAVE to but I do and always will so get used to it Bagans!" I warn him. He smiles his shy crooked smile and with a finger under my chin he tilts my face up to his and leans down to kiss me gently.

We take the tray of drinks back to our table. I gulp my bourbon and enjoy the burn as the liquor slides down my throat. We talk about the events and other things trying to wind down from the drama of the night. I throw back a few more drinks aware of Zak's eyes on me but not caring. I need to stead my nerves and my still shaking hands and the alcohol is helping, nobody is going to take that small comfort away from me.